CrockPot Taco Pasta Recipe

This recipe for CrockPot Taco Pasta is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it meal.

Made with seasoned ground beef, pasta, and cheddar cheese, this recipe delivers all the hearty satisfaction of a slow-simmered meal with the vibrant, addictive "pop" of your favorite Mexican-inspired flavors. Taco pasta is perfect when served with Black Bean Salsa and tortilla chips on the side.

Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Taco Pasta

Slow cooker taco pasta is a favorite because it combines the bold, zesty flavors of "Taco Tuesday" with the creamy, high-comfort texture of a cheesy pasta bake in a hearty dish that about everyone can agree on.

I like that this slow cooker taco pasta is a simple recipe that is also perfect as a quick prep dinner with minimal effort.

Have you tried my recipe for Frito Taco Casserole Dinner?

Made with taco meat and corn chips, that layered dish is a comfort food that features the savory goodness with salty crunch that we love about tacos and Fritos in every bite. Both this recipe for Taco Pasta and that recipe for Taco Casserole are easy and hearty dishes that feature the popular flavor of tacos.

Diced tomatoes with green chilies add flavor and moisture to this slow cooker recipe. You can find diced tomatoes with green chilies here.

What you Need to Make Creamy Slow Cooker Taco Pasta

• Ground Beef Your ground beef should be browned and drained of any grease.
• Taco Seasoning. I have a recipe for homemade taco seasoning or you can use a taco seasoning packet.
• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies Do not drain the tomatoes and chilies as you will need the liquid for this recipe.
• Tomato Sauce. The sauce of your choice.
• Beef Broth.  Low sodium beef broth can be used.
• Elbow Macaroni Pasta Your pasta should be uncooked.
• Cheddar Cheese Freshly shredded is preferred.
• Sour Cream. Added for flavor and texture or added as a topping.

How to Make Creamy Taco Pasta

• Prep Time 10 minutes .
• Cook Time 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low .
• Servings 6 servings .
• How to serve : Serve your taco pasta with Cauliflower or Brussels Sprout Slaw on the side.
• Notes: You will need a skillet to brown your ground beef and a large spoon for stirring the taco pasta in the slow cooker.

1. Brown. If you have not done so, brown your ground beef in a skillet (or the microwave), breaking up the ground beef as it cooks. Then drain off the excess grease from the browned beef.
2. Layer. Place the cooked ground beef into your slow cooker and layer (in this order) the taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth over it. Stir the ingredients to combine.
3. Slow Cook. Cover your slow cooker and slow cook the ingredients for Low Setting: four to six hours or
   High Setting: two to three hours.
4. Pasta About 15-20 minutes before serving stir in your uncooked pasta. This step should be done on 'high'.
5. Cheese. Once your pasta is done cooking, you can stir in the shredded cheese and sour cream and serve.

Tips for making the best slow cooker pasta with ground beef

Elbow Macaroni Pasta was used to make my taco pasta. Other kinds of pasta that could work include Rotini (fusilli), Penne, or Medium Shells as they are sturdy and can hold on to the sauce. Avoid thin or delicate noodles like spaghetti or linguine.

More helpful tips for you.

1. The pasta is added to the slow cooker after the other ingredients have slow cooked (Low Setting: 4–6 hours or
   High Setting: 2–3 hours). This allows the pasta to cook to a perfect al dente texture using the moisture already in the slow cooker without turning the pasta into 'mush'.
2. This recipe also works with other ground meats, chicken or even turkey. Note the cooking times can vary.
3. Optional add-ins for this recipe include beans, salsa, vegetables such as corn, or sliced peppers (heat of your choice..).

How to Store Crockpot Taco Meat with Pasta

Once it has fully cooled, leftover taco pasta should be stored in an airtight container. When properly stored, taco pasta should keep for up to five days when refrigerated or frozen for up to a few months (thawed in the refrigerator).

You may also be interested in these slow cooker recipes.

• CrockPot Baked Beans Recipe
• Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Chili
• Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
• Crockpot Enchilada Casserole Recipe
• Crockpot Little Smokies Cocktail Sausages
• Crockpot Funeral Potatoes Recipe